The first time Gao Shen met Master La, he was wearing a white shirt and a red tie with black stripes, looking very much like a school uniform.
His mother, Melanie, was a Black single mother whose main job was as a cashier at a betting shop. She also held two part-time cleaning jobs at a nearby shopping mall.
This was how she worked tirelessly, day and night, to support her five children on her own.
Despite their circumstances, she had done an excellent job raising and educating her children.
To Melanie and the eleven-year-old Rashford, Gao Shen seemed like someone far beyond their reach, like a figure in the clouds. They only ever saw him on TV and in newspapers, hearing legendary stories about him.
Even though they had hoped to join Manchester City, they never imagined that Gao Shen would personally come to meet them.
But Gao Shen was very polite to them. He showed no sign of discrimination or arrogance. On the contrary, he was warm and approachable like a close friend.
Manchester City's offer this time was very generous, but Manchester United was also interested in Rashford and had already made contact.
"I believe Mr. Cox has handed you a copy of our carefully prepared ten-year plan for Manchester City. Have you had a chance to read it?" Gao Shen asked with a smile.
Melanie and Rashford both nodded repeatedly, indicating they had.
"I'm sure you don't doubt our club's financial strength, our investment in youth development, or our long-term commitment. The consortium backing us doesn't just see football as a business but as a prestigious calling card."
"It might sound too blunt to say this, but Ferguson is already 68 years old. No one knows how long he'll continue. And no one knows what Manchester United will become after he retires. So I think instead of worrying too much about the distant future, it's better to focus on the present."
Melanie understood Gao Shen's message.
The future is too uncertain what matters most is the present.
"Professional football is very open these days. If in the future Marcus feels Manchester City can't offer him what he needs, he can transfer. But that depends on his ability, doesn't it?"
Melanie was completely convinced.
Compared to Manchester United, Manchester City had a huge advantage: their youth training base was just across the main road from their home in Withington, less than a few hundred meters away. Rashford could walk there for training after school.
Manchester United's training base, on the other hand, was all the way in Carrington. Given their family's financial situation, driving him there regularly wasn't realistic. Getting to Carrington after signing with United would be a real challenge.
Their family had always hoped to sign with Manchester City, but the club had initially rejected Rashford because he was too thin. Melanie had been disappointed ever since.
Gao Shen's explanation was simple: when he had just taken over the club, everything was in chaos, staff turnover was high, and many things weren't handled properly. But that wouldn't happen again.
"I've studied Marcus's playing style, and I think he's a perfect fit for us. I can assure you he'll be one of our key development targets. As long as he studies hard, trains well, and puts in the effort, I believe he'll make it to the Premier League—maybe even the national team."
The whole world knew his name. The media and television had hyped him countless times. He was hailed as the world's top talent scout.
Some even said that being noticed by Gao Shen instantly boosted a player's market value.
Now that he had made such a promise himself what was there to hesitate about?
Seeing that they were moved, Gao Shen struck while the iron was hot, saying that after the contract was signed, Rashford could receive a paid youth training contract.
"Normally, this is only offered to players over twelve," Cox added with a smile, "but Mr. Gao has agreed to make an exception for you."
Melanie and Rashford immediately held Gao Shen's hand in gratitude, repeatedly thanking him.
Gao Shen also promised to help Melanie find a job. With the new job and Rashford's youth training allowance, their family's situation would soon improve.
At the same time, Gao Shen encouraged Rashford.
"Believe me, Marcus—you have the ability to become a Premier League regular and even play for the England national team. You will change your family's destiny. So, you must give your best in school and in training, understood?"
Children from disadvantaged families grow up fast.
Rashford knew exactly what this opportunity meant. Despite his thin frame, he stood up straight. "I promise, sir—I won't let you down. I'll definitely repay you one day!"
"Playing good football is the best reward you can give me." Gao Shen smiled and gently patted his head.
Gao Shen didn't leave Pratt Lane until evening.
He headed south toward his home in Cheshire in Borrell's car.
That afternoon felt a bit like his previous life, when he was still in the business world.
Especially when he left and caught the complicated expressions on Cox and the others' faces, something stirred in his heart.
They were probably silently complaining about how demanding Gao Shen was.
If everyone just took it easy and worked comfortably, this team wouldn't have a future.
Not in a cutthroat environment like professional football.
"You were a bit different today," Borrell said as he drove.
"Different how?" Gao Shen asked.
"Strange," Borrell replied with a nod. "Your attitude toward Melanie and Rashford was totally different from how you were with Cox and the others. I'm guessing Cox wasn't too happy."
"Perfectly normal," Gao Shen replied with a smile.
Cox may be trying to flatter him, but that didn't mean Gao Shen would ease up on his expectations.
"There's no conflict of interest between me and Melanie or Rashford right now. I don't need to put on airs in front of them. Who would I be showing off to? But I need Cox to work for me. I don't care if he likes me or not, I just need him to do the job I assign him."
"I don't have the time to be hands-on with everything in the youth academy. You get what I'm saying?"
Borrell nodded—he understood.
Manchester City paid a high salary, but Gao Shen also demanded high performance. Cox's job was to meet those demands. That was the basis for him to serve as youth academy director at Manchester City.
Someone once asked Gao Shen a question: why do top executives in a company always seem so amiable, while middle and lower management tend to be strict even harsh?
There are basically two reasons: one is conflict of interest, and the other is the closeness of the relationship.
If Cox weren't the youth training director, if he worked in the media department or was just an ordinary employee, as long as he didn't interfere with Gao Shen's interests, Gao Shen would treat him the same way he treated Melanie and Rashford.
But unfortunately, Cox is the youth training director, a role that falls directly under Gao Shen's supervision. Many of Gao Shen's initiatives require Cox to carry them out.
Put simply: Gao Shen sets the requirements, and Cox executes them.
In this situation, Gao Shen had no choice but to be strict. Because if Cox made a mistake, the consequences would fall on Gao Shen.
Thinking about this, Gao Shen sighed quietly to himself.
He hadn't exercised these skills in a long time, he was getting rusty.
In the past, a person like Cox would have been no match for him.
As Gao Shen turned to look out the window at the passing scenery, Borrell cast a sideways glance at him, his expression a bit complicated.
As a core member of the coaching staff, Borrell and the others were actually older than Gao Shen. Yet every one of them was under Gao Shen's leadership. Even Carlo, who used to be Gao Shen's mentor, what about now?
Could he still play the role of a master in front of Gao Shen?
Actually, this wasn't a bad thing.
After working together for a long time, they all understood Gao Shen's character and temperament. Working with him was genuinely a comfortable experience but only if you could keep up with him and meet his standards.
If you could do that, then Gao Shen was the ideal boss.
Not only would he offer you a high salary, but he would also shield you from trouble. Even if you made mistakes, as long as they were within his ability to handle, he would take responsibility and clean up the mess for you.
Of course, his standards were extremely high—at times even harsh. You might want to curse him under your breath, but once you reached his expectations, you'd realize your abilities had improved drastically, all thanks to being "bullied" by your boss.
Just like Lucas once joked: he himself didn't even know how he became the world's number one analyst. He didn't do anything special, he just followed Gao Shen's demanding standards. Then one day, the team performed well, the media picked it up, and suddenly he was crowned the best in the world. People were inviting him to give lectures everywhere, treating him like an expert in the field.
But truthfully, it was exhausting. Before every lecture, he had to burn through countless brain cells to organize his past work and recent achievements into a systematic presentation.
It might sound a little "Versailles" to say it, but, he really didn't want to be the world's number one!
"Gao, were you serious about what you said in the team meeting this morning?" Borrell asked.
"The part about continuing the winning streak," Borrell reminded him.
"Of course!" Gao Shen answered without hesitation, clearly full of confidence.
After a brief pause, he noticed Borrell's hesitation and smiled slightly.
"It's normal to feel worried. But don't underestimate yourself or the team. We still have problems to fix, but as long as we control injuries and maintain form, with our strength and only one match a week, I'm not afraid of any team!"
Borrell heard the deep ambition in his voice.
A winning streak, what a thrilling goal!
"You don't seriously think I spent over €200 million just to finish in the top four, right?" Gao Shen asked with a smile.
The top four was the bare minimum he promised Mansour and Mubarak. In his own mind, it was never the target. He had only one real goal—and that was the championship!
"Believe it or not, from the moment I set our recruitment strategy, I've been building a championship team. Not a top-four team. That's way too easy for me!" Gao Shen smiled with pride.
Borrell was deeply moved, but more importantly, he understood Gao Shen's ambition.
"I believe it!" the Spaniard replied firmly. Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦·𝘯𝘦𝘵
A deep, hearty laugh echoed inside the car.
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